Proverbs 17:8-28

⁸Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward: and whithersoever it may turn, it shall prosper.

⁹He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide them separates friends and kindred.

¹⁰A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.

¹¹Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.

¹²Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.

¹³Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.

¹⁴Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.

¹⁵He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.

¹⁶Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom.

^16aHe that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischiefs.

¹⁷Have thou a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.

¹⁸A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, as he also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.

¹⁹A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;

²⁰and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;

²¹and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.

²²A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.

²³The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in his bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.

²⁴The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool go to the ends of the earth.

²⁵A foolish son is a cause of anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.

²⁶It is not right to punish a righteous man, nor is it holy to plot against righteous princes.

²⁷He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.

²⁸Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.